Dutton church offers Christmas dinner to public

Living Waters Church, Dutton, has turkeys and hams ready to go into the oven for a Christmas dinner to be served next Wednesday. Getting ready for the meal are, front row from left, Virgie Carter, Starr Nicholas, Laurie Starke; back row, Steve Nicholas, Lou Carter and Heather Campos. Photo by Elsa Verbyla

Living Waters Church is preparing for as many as 200 diners for its first “Christmas with Love,” a Christmas dinner for the homeless, the less fortunate and those alone during the holidays.

Reservations may be made by calling Starr Nicholas at 804-761-7766. She said the signups are important so the church will have an idea how many guests to expect.

The traditional meal of ham and turkey will be served from 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25, at the church, which is located at the intersection of Routes 198 and 3 in Dutton.

Nicholas, who is helping to organize the meal through the LWC Messengers of Hope ministry, said church members are signing up as cooks, greeters, and to offer a blessing as each table is served. She said some have questioned why the church would interrupt members’ Christmas day for such outreach, and she has replied, “It is Jesus’s birthday; what better way is there to demonstrate Jesus’s love and caring about others.

“I know it is a sacrifice for everybody but it’s a good way to celebrate Christmas Day,” Nicholas added. “Our church is a very giving church. We really want to reach out to those less fortunate.”

The church has 18 turkeys and 12 hams waiting to be cooked, donated by the LWC food ministry, and members will bring in desserts to go along with the main meal.

Virgie and Lou Carter run the food ministry, which usually distributes food the last Saturday of each month (but was earlier in December) and in November provided food for 150 families.

Meals on Wheels

Meanwhile, for the 27th year, American Legion Post 83, Mathews, will purchase and deliver catered Christmas dinners next Wednesday to Mathews County’s Meals on Wheels recipients.